United States President Donald Trump is as defiant as ever. He has disregarded global opposition and gone ahead with recognising Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. This could potentially reverse 70 years of America's Middle East policy. Furthermore, Trump has insisted that the controversial move will not affect his administration's goal of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The US embassy will now be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Officials have told the press that this process will take up to three years. “I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” Trump said. “While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.

“My announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”

Within hours of Trump's announcement, US embassies across several - Great Britain, Germany, Jordan and Turkey - issued security alerts and urged caution.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council is likely to meet. They will be discussing the move made by Trump. This comes on the heels of a request from eight countries of the 15-member body.

Trump didn't rule out a further division. “We are not taking a position on any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties involved".

Following the announcement, there were major protests across various cities.

Global leaders condemn the move

There is no alternative to the two-state solution: two states living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition – with Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestine. pic.twitter.com/r95LPIZimg

“In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear – there is no alternative to the two-state solution,” Guterres continued. “There is no plan B.” Even Pope Francis got in the act. Francis made a plea to Trump to respect status quo and conform to the UN resolutions.

Jewish organisations are happy

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, hailed the day as "historic".

This is a historic day. Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years. Jerusalem has been the focus of our hopes, our dreams, our prayers for three millennia. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mWCUpUMpiC

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU) congratulated Trump and said, “his historic change of U.S. government policy toward the status of Jerusalem – the ancient and current capital of Israel and the Jewish People.". National Council of Young Israel, American Jewish Congress and others praised the move.

Trumps decision on Jerusalem is huge set back to MiddleEast peace and it will intensify more conflicts. Strongly condemn this act of hate and arrogance! #Jerusalem is and will always be Palestine's capital. May Allah bless Palestine.🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/9gSz9UrCqs

This Visit Palestine tourism poster (this is a postcard version) was made by Austrian Jew Franz Krausz in 1936. I have the poster put away at home. It speaks for itself. #Jerusalempic.twitter.com/fWR1KqqG7x

It doesn't matter where the US puts its Israeli Embassy, its the same as if the US had an embassy for ISIS, would it matter if it was in #Raqqa or #Mosul? At the end of the day, it's still recognising a theocratic land grab whether it be Islamic or Jewish. #Jerusalem#USEmbassypic.twitter.com/yGSngoG7lf

#Jerusalem Trump bypassed Intl consensus, UN resolutions & just killed the last hope for peace and a 2 state solution to Israel Palestine issue by recognising Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Will the Muslim Govts keep sleeping?